027 - Ability Enhancement
Na Jong-hoon cremated the body he'd brought, collected the urn, and departed. I had no idea whose corpse it was. Probably someone who starved or died from untreated wounds somewhere out there. This body would take Na Hye-won's place in her columbarium.
Before leaving, Na Jong-hoon shared a brief farewell with his daughter. Unless the Republic of Korea government completely collapsed, these two would never meet again. To keep Na Hye-won's existence a total secret, she'd only move indoors. While in the hospital, she was confined to her single room, and even after discharge, she'd stay at my house. No point drawing unnecessary eyes.
While Na Jong-hoon stayed here, Han Byeol learned secrets from inside the Republic of Korea government. As chief secretary, he knew plenty about domestic affairs but almost nothing about the military. It wasn't because he was just a figurehead; military secrets were kept airtight from everyone except the president and a tiny handful of top brass. He'd started as a political appointee in the government but got promoted to chief secretary thanks to his daughter's ability.
I considered giving him a walkie-talkie for ongoing intel, but we figured there wasn't much more to squeeze out of him—and if he got caught, the fallout would be disastrous. So we scrapped that and brainstormed safer ways to exchange info. His loyalty topped 90% when he left, but just in case, I warned him: betray me, and his daughter's life isn't guaranteed.
"Ah, what's the problem..."
Weeks after Na Jong-hoon left, reconstruction finally wrapped on Sector 1 Northeast.
Sector 1 Northeast
『Housing / Hospital / Farm / Livestock Pen / Bathhouse / Fishery / ??? / ???』
I was buzzing with excitement over what unlocked after fishery... but nothing. Some other condition must be needed. Things had gone so smoothly after the livestock pen—bathhouse and fishery unlocked like clockwork—only to get hit by lightning out of nowhere. After some head-scratching, I decided to build another farm.
"Farm."
"Your Excellency!"
The residents had adapted by now. They still stared at the gleaming building in awe, but no more tears or sobs.
"Let's check it out."
Second farm building, but I wasn't holding my breath. Probably no big difference from the first.
"Your Excellency, the first-floor crops match Sector 1 Farm exactly."
"Yeah."
First floor was identical to Sector 1 Farm. Fine by me—the staples like rice, wheat, sweet potatoes, and potatoes made perfect meals anyway. Same lineup was better than variety here.
"What about the second floor?"
Sector 1 Farm's second floor produced sesame, pine nuts, walnuts, chilies, and honey.
"Your Excellency!"
"Oh... second floor's different, huh?"
First floors matched across both farms, but second-floor products differed. I pressed the first vending button, picked up the dropped pack, and muttered,
"Damn... never imagined this."
Tobacco leaves. Without the cigarette icon on the machine, I might not have guessed. We had stockpiled smokes already, but booze and cigs had become universal currency in this ruined world—traded by any group, they always hit. Top utility vending machine. I didn't smoke, so no clue on quality, but every crop from production buildings so far was plump and delicious. These were surely premium leaves.
Next machine had a familiar shape.
"Oh...!"
Coffee beans from the one after. "Grind these for drip coffee."
Jackpot for me. I'd survived on instant my whole life—now fresh drip was possible. Fresh Americano every morning on the rooftop? Vacuum-sealed pack to my nose: nutty, spicy aroma hit hard.
"Whew."
Third: dried green tea leaves. Fourth: dried black tea leaves. Nice occasional treats. Not daily drinkers, so trade fodder or brew big batches for residents on special days.
Fifth didn't disappoint: a pack of peppercorns.
"Your Excellency, pepper!"
"Pepper!"
Now we could grind it into resident meals.
"Not bad. Empty all first- and second-floor vending slots into storage for now."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Knowing some condition unlocked the next building, I'd prioritize housing next and aggressively grow residents. Had to break through 1,000 to unlock anything meaningful.
"Your Excellency... thank you so much! Thank you for saving my life!"
"Even I'm amazed."
Na Hye-won was a walking miracle—no words but that. She walked and ate without issue now. Good appetite too; she'd gained weight, still slim but near normal. Classic beauty: blonde hair, golden eyes. Seeing her like this showed how brutally the Republic of Korea government had wrung her dry before she nearly died.
I got it, honestly. They needed every permanent strengthener possible, but even with healers, her condition kept tanking. Government had to choose.
"How's your body feel?"
"So light... like my old healthy self."
"Good."
Time to test the ability I'd waited so eagerly for.
"You heard from your dad: he betrayed the Republic of Korea government for your treatment and came to me. Even without that, no loyalty left after they killed his daughter."
"Yes, Your Excellency. Father told me everything."
Na Hye-won nodded.
"So you know I didn't heal you out of humanity or goodwill?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Quick on the uptake."
My plan: who'd get the first boost? Me, obviously—Paradise's core power. Everyone agreed. But we'd only heard how bad her backlash was; no direct view. Skip straight to permanent risky. Test temporary first: use ability, monitor 24-hour duration in recovery room. Prove recovery outpaces drain, then go permanent.
"Ready now? If it's too much, say so. I can give you weeks more rest."
"No, I want to repay you for my life."
"Alright."
In the single room: me, the Han sisters, Im Jui, Lee Kyung-min.
"Your Excellency, shall we start?"
"Yeah."
"Excuse me, then."
Na Hye-won reached out, caressed my left cheek. Dad had explained: touch cheek, ability amplifies target's power. Random thought: her hand was soft.
"Your Excellency!"
She closed her eyes; faint light emanated from my body.
"Whoa... huh. So that's it."
No feel at first, but after 10 seconds, my ability strengthening sank in. By 30, she pulled away.
"Haa... s-strengthening complete, Your Excellency."
"You okay?"
"Yes... this much... manageable."
Dark circles bloomed under her eyes.
"Thanks. Lie down and rest."
"Thank... you..."
Na Hye-won nodded off. Extreme stamina drain made sense now. One use left her two sleepless nights wrecked; no real recovery between, fatigue snowballed to that state.
"Yes, Your Excellency! I'll watch her closely!"
"Yeah, thanks for the hard work, Director."
Lee Kyung-min caught my glance, knew the drill.
"Master, feel any difference?"
"Yeah, crystal clear. Look there."
I pointed: the sector that auto-started reconstruction right after Sector 2 West finished. Sector 2 West North End. I'd puzzled over names for days. Core sectors used cardinal directions simply, but these four awkward spots? Kept it basic. North of Sector 2 West: Sector 2 West North End. South: Sector 2 West South End.
"Your Excellency..."
"Master."
Everyone gawked at Sector 2 West North End, stunned. Construction drones rebuilt at double—no, way faster speed. At least twice as quick.
"Back to production buildings and palace to check."
"Yes!"
Stepping into production confirmed: welcoming Na Hye-won was a hundred times right.
"Didn't expect this much..."
Opening Sector 1 Farm door revealed it: all crop production halved from 48 hours to 24.
I'd half-expected it, but feeling it firsthand? Total grasp why the government clung to permanent boosts inhumanely. Every production facility: halved times. Palace production buildings too, back at the palace. Basement Sector 1 Food Storage: 1,440 cans weekly now, not biweekly. Biggest win: melons from 180 to 90 days. Used two enhanced melons in enhancement room, started new batch 142 days ago—should have 38 left, but panel showed 19.
"Insane... too OP to believe."
Permanent needs re-up before 24 hours end. Sustain 30 days for success. I'd check Na Hye-won before then; if stable, lock in permanent Landlord Ability boost.
If smooth, next: Im Jui. Already monstrously strong—how much more? Could take 500 more residents easy, food no issue.
"Han Seol."
"Yes!"
"Next time Kim Dae-geon visits, tell him no tech skills needed—just 500 desperate folks with clean records."
"Understood, headquarters."